Peter Rodger’s Regular Driving Tips

Who’s Peter Rodger

Peter Rodger has been Chief Examiner at the Institute of Advanced Motorists (the UKs largest dedicated road safety organisation) since 2006, responsible for the conduct of the IAM's advanced driving test both in the UK and abroad. He regularly speaks at conferences and in the media on road safety issues surrounding driving and riding.

Peter retired from the Metropolitan Police in 2005 having served as an inspector in traffic patrol, driver training, and with direct involvement in issues surrounding driving standards in the service for 20 years. He has extensive experience in police driver training issues, having been responsible for training in cars, lorries and buses and on motorcycles, as well as for the more technical training given to police officers in collision investigation, traffic law etc..

His experience includes involvement in the development of policy at both force and local levels. Peter also had practical experience of the investigation of traffic collisions over most of his thirty year police career, including many which involved fatalities.To add a touch of variety he also has experience of teaching cycling to schoolchildren.

He is also a member of the council of management and a former chairman of the Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers (Airso).

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To help drivers stay safe this winter, the IAM has launched a new website, drivingadvice.org.uk, with traffic updates, weather forecasts and tips on how to drive safely in winter.
Tips cover rain, snow, ice, fog and wind, in fact everything you can expect in a typically unpredictable British winter. Check it out before you travel.

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Peter’s Tips

Green driving will save you up to 15% on your bills

• Keep your vehicle moving for as long as possible, even in traffic queues. This is far more fuel efficient than stopping and starting, so slow down earlier, to avoid braking as harshly and often.
• Stick to the speed limit. This offers a good compromise between economy and getting somewhere. There’s a significant saving made by doing 70 instead of 80 – and you avoid any risk of speeding fines.
• Reverse into parking bays. If you do all the manoeuvring with a hot engine you can drive straight off when you come back and warm the engine up more quickly.
• Check your vehicle regularly to ensure it operates efficiently. In particular check the condition of your tyres, and measure tyre pressures when they’re cold.
• Remove unnecessary weight, including roof racks, car clutter and heavy items in the boot. The more weight you carry in the car, the more fuel you’ll burn.
• Keep the inside of the front and rear windscreens squeaky clean. Traffic fumes form a film on the glass which attracts moisture and makes them mist up easily - a clean screen will rarely mist up, so you won’t be using the heater and air-conditioning.

Peter says "We’ve all got better things to spend our money on than petrol. This will help you save cash and reduce your carbon emissions."

Advice on dealing with road signs

• Look well ahead to see road signs the more time you give yourself to see them the better. They give important information and guidance on hazards, road layouts and directions don’t ignore them.
• Be especially careful where there are temporary signs, they are there for a specific reason.
• If a sign is unclear because of wear or leaves and branches, slow down to give yourself time to react to unexpected hazards.
• Five minutes spent with the Highway Code can make understanding of signs much clearer.
• If you notice a sign that is misspelt, is misleading, overcrowded or hidden by dirt and foliage, report it to the council. The message has to be clear so that drivers can act on them immediately.
• Read the road signs to double check your route don’t rely too heavily on your sat-nav in case things have changed.
• Never make a last minute manoeuvre that could be dangerous, such as a sharp turn, sudden braking or a u-turn. Drive on until you find a safe place to turn around.

Peter says "Good traffic signs make driving safer, less stressful and save fuel. In a recent poll less than 20 per cent of respondents felt foliage clearance was being done well, so be prepared to slow down and deal with unexpected hazards."

You Can Drink, Just Don’t Drive

Now is the time of festive fun and this often involves Christmas and New Year parties. If you're heading out for a few drinks, make sure you have planned your journey home.

Peter offers tips on driving over the Christmas and New Year period:

• Don’t try and calculate whether or not you are over the limit.
• Drinks poured at home are usually larger than pub measures.
• If you drive to a party and drink more than you expected to, don't risk it. Book yourself a taxi or arrange for a friend or family member to collect you from your location.
• A drinking session the night before might put you over the legal limit the following day. Keep this in mind and organise alternative travel plans for the next day.
• If you know someone has been drinking, don't let them give you a lift or drive home.

Peter says: "Drinking and driving has serious consequences. It is not only about your safety, but other road users. It is not worth the risk.".

How to avoid conflict on the road

• Most irritating manoeuvres made by other drivers are unintentional. Don’t take your frustration out by making offensive gestures, beeping your horn or flashing your lights.
• Don’t compete or retaliate. If someone’s driving annoys you, don’t try to educate them.
• Be patient in traffic, and try not to push into traffic queues. If you signal in plenty of time, other drivers will usually let you in.
• Courtesy costs nothing. Being polite can diffuse a situation if you have made a mistake.
• Set an example to others. Give way at busy junctions or where traffic lanes merge. Wherever there are merging lanes, join in turn.
• Avoid making eye contact in a confrontation while a friendly wave could show you've made an honest mistake, you might appear to be challenging the other road user.
• Don'’t respond to somebody elses bad behaviour by accelerating, braking or swerving suddenly. As well as winding up other drivers, you reduce your own car control.

Peter says: "We all make mistakes when were driving, so try and cut people some slack when they do so. Road rage doesn’t improve the situation, and puts you, your passengers, and other road users around you at risk. The best thing is to stay calm and continue to drive sensibly so as not to make the situation any worse."

How To Make Your Way Through Fog

Fog is one of the most difficult conditions to drive in. Ensure you are prepared so that you can carry out your journey safely, and allow lots of extra time for the trip. Peter offers tips for driving in the fog:

• Before setting off, clean your windows and windscreen and ensure all your lights are working.
• When you’re ready to leave, switch on the dipped headlights. Use front and rear fog lights if visibility is less than 100 metres.
• Use your windscreen wipers on an intermittent setting to clear condensation.
• Switch the heater or air conditioning on and leave it running to keep the inside of the glass clear.
• Slow down and keep enough distance between yourself and the vehicle in front make sure you can stop safely within the distance you can see clearly.
• Fog is not the same density all the time, it may get thicker, slow down if it does.
• Brake gently but earlier than usual so your brake lights warn drivers behind.
• At junctions, wind the window down and listen for traffic.
• Take high-viz clothing in case you have to leave the car.

Peter says: "Don’t underestimate the effect fog has on your visibility. Adjusting your driving to the weather conditions will help you to become a better driver.".

How to start your car in the bleak midwinter

If the weather is really bad, think about whether you really need to make the journey before travelling. If so, ensure you take out the time to prepare your car for your trip.

Peter offers six tips to avoid seasonal car problems:

• Don’t switch on the engine until you are ready to go; a modern car does not need to warm the engine up. Do put the engine on if you need to run the heater/demister before you move.
• Clean your windows inside and out – a dirty screen will cause the windows to mist up much quicker.
• Clean any snow off the car’s roof and bonnet as well as windows.
• When you get in the car make sure all the extra electrical things are turned off before you try starting it (lights, heater, etc).
• When you’re ready to go, switch the engine and heater on (air con if you have fitted, it keeps the screen dry) so that the windows don’t steam up.
• Use the ‘ice’ setting if your car has one.

Peter says: "Spending time to prepare your car for the weather conditions is important so that it copes well throughout your journey. Now is the time to check the battery and that your screen wash is the antifreeze version."

Ice Driving Tips

Now is the time to start thinking about how to deal with wintry weather, so that when it comes along you are ready for it.

Peter offers six tips to drive confidently in icy conditions:

• Ensure you have de-icer and a scraper. Before setting off, make sure you clean any ice or condensation from all the windows so that your visibility is clear.
• When you set off, do so in second gear, releasing the clutch and accelerating gently.
• As you drive, stay in higher gears to minimise the possibility of wheel spin.
• Stopping distances are increased by up to 10 times in icy conditions, so leave much more distance than usual between your car and the car in front.
• If your car loses grip, take your foot off the accelerator, and point the front wheels where you want to go.
• Bear in mind, after the frost has gone, ice can remain in areas which are shaded by trees and buildings, including bridges.

Peter says: "We all need to respect that the weather changes and make adjustments to deal with it. Being mentally prepared as well as having the right equipment is vital, so think about last year, any problems it caused you, and what you need to do to overcome them if they recur this year."

Accelerate Safely This Winter

Power and acceleration are no good without control. This is especially true when drivers are faced with cold, wet and slippery conditions.

Peter has six tips to ensure you remain in control:

• Be aware of the way your car applies power to the road. As acceleration shifts weight from the front to the back of the car, the wheels of front wheel-drive cars will spin more easily in wet and icy conditions.
• Accelerate smoothly and maintain a safe speed particularly in wintry conditions remember the speed limit may be too fast especially when conditions are poor.
• Make sure you're in the correct gear before overtaking and use as much power as is safe bearing in mind your cars abilities, the speed limit and the road conditions.
• Changing your use of the accelerator is a good way of slowing down, without ever needing to touch the brake. When you can see traffic slowing up ahead, ease off the power in advance instead of driving up behind it and braking as you arrive. This will reduce the amount you have to brake and save fuel.
• When approaching bends, reduce your speed, but ensure you maintain a constant speed and a smooth line through the bend. As you drive out of the bend, you can increase the power. If its slippery, leave accelerating until you are straightened up properly.
• On level ground or downhill you should be able to start from stationary without using the accelerator in a modern car just lift the clutch carefully, and then very gently apply power once you are moving. When the roads are icy, this can be a useful technique.

Peter says: "Wintry conditions don't necessarily mean you can’t go out, but if weather conditions are very hazardous, do question whether you really need to make the journey. Understanding your cars acceleration and power will help you stay in control whatever the weather."

Don't Drive So Close To me

Peter gives advice to motorists on braking properly, and how stopping distances are affected by adverse weather conditions.

Peter advises on six of the best ways to get a grip on braking:

• Brake in a straight line where possible. Braking while going through a bend unbalances the car, so get your speed and gear right beforehand.
• Brake smoothly. If you plan your driving and keep an eye on the traffic conditions ahead you can avoid braking harshly in many cases you may avoid braking altogether.
• Don't underestimate how long it actually takes you to stop. At 30mph, you will take 23 metres or five car lengths to stop, at 50 this doubles to 53m (12 car lengths), and at 70 it takes 96m, or 21 car lengths.
• Always leave at least two seconds between yourself and the car in front. Watch the car in front go past a lamp post or tree, and count how long it takes you to reach it.
• As a guide, you should at least double this in the wet, and quadruple it in snow and ice
• For extra winter grip, consider winter tyres. These maintain grip well below that of normal tyres, which start to stiffen below 7c.

Peter says: "Braking is a skill that needs practice do it properly and you'll improve fuel consumption and journey times. If you prepare in time, and look further down the road, you can avoid stopping as often for example, look ahead and plan to meet a gap in the traffic on a roundabout."

Prepare Your Car For Winter

Now is the time to give your car a health-check before winter conditions take their toll. Bad weather can strike quickly, and more severely than you expect, so its really important to be ready.

Peter suggests some easy tips to prepare your car for winter:

• In a UK winter you are more likely to encounter wind and rain, so make sure your windscreen wipers are in good condition and that you clean the inside of the windscreen regularly.
• Do a proper check of your vehicle - particularly the tyres - top up your washer fluid and make sure last years ice scraper and de-icer are up to the job.
• The legal minimum for tyre tread in the UK is 1.6mm, but for optimum safety start looking for replacements if the depth is below 3mm
• Check all your lights.
• Pack an emergency kit, including a warm coat, high visibility jacket, some food and water, a good pair of boots, de-icer and scraper, a torch, a spade and a mobile phone with a well-charged battery.
• Remember to store your emergency breakdown number.

Peter says: "Many roads are still pot-holed after last winter so having a well-maintained car, and paying particular attention to your tyres, is going to be extremely important."